BROOKVILLE, N.Y. –  An impressive defensive performance by the Pioneers proved to be the difference as the LIU Post men's lacrosse team took down No. 4/5 Adelphi University 9-8 at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium in its home opener Feb. 24.
 
The win marked the first win at home against the Panthers since 2008 and the first regular-season victory since 2009 when the Pioneers earned a 13-7 victory on the road. LIU Post had not beaten Adelphi since they defeated the Panthers 12-9 during the NCAA Tournament during the 2014 season.
 
Four Pioneers scored two goals apiece in the win, as seniors Dylan Harned and Eric Donahoe, junior Steven Frank and freshman William Snelders found the back of the net twice. Sophomore Austin Guerrina added one goal, while junior P.J. Usak led the way with two assists. In goal, junior Bryan Ochs made 14 saves on 22 shots on goal, while Brendan McDougal made nine saves.
 
Despite registering just 26 shots, the Pioneers scored on half of their shots on goal for the afternoon to help overcome a 39-26 Adelphi advantage in the shot category. The Pioneers finished 17-of-22 on clear attempts, while the Panthers held a 50-39 edge in ground balls and a 13-7 advantage in faceoffs.
 
"All heart," said head coach Eric Wolf regarding the victory. "I cannot say enough about the effort and attitude that our team showed today. We had tremendous support from our fans and we found a way to prevail."
 
Frank opened the scoring 4:21 into the contest to put LIU Post on top, but the goal was quickly answered by Adelphi to level the scoring. After trading goals, the Pioneers found the net twice in 89 seconds late in the period, including a man-down goal to lead 4-2. The Panthers cut the deficit to one goal with a tally in the final minute, but LIU Post scored four of the first five goals in the second stanza to extend the lead to 8-4. The lead shrank before the half, however, as the Panthers stormed back with three consecutive tallies before the halftime buzzer to make it 8-7 at the intermission.
 
The lead disappeared momentarily in the third quarter, as Adelphi scored just over three minutes into the half to make it 8-8, but Harned ripped a shot into the cage with 7:40 in the third in what proved to be the game-winning tally.
 
The Pioneers held Adelphi scoreless for the final 26:46 in an excellent defensive effort. Ochs was outstanding in cage, stopping nine shots over that span to keep the lead intact and help the Pioneers to a 2-0 start for the season.
 
"Games like that are why you play the game, and I am so happy for our guys. We look forward to getting back to work next week," said Wolf.
 
LIU Post will look to make it three-in-a-row when they begin a three-game road trip against nationally ranked opponents beginning with No. 6/7 Pace University on Saturday, March 3.